Measles in Madagascar (Update 2)
31 Jan 2019
The World Health Organisation
reports that there have been 28 747 measles cases, including 80 deaths, between 4 October 2018 and 18 January 2018 in Madagascar. Nearly all of the cases are children and young people aged under 19 years and all 22 regions of Madagascar are affected.
Advice for Travellers
Travel may increase an individual’s risk of exposure to measles virus, and facilitate the spread of disease to unvaccinated and susceptible populations. Two doses of MMR vaccine, at least one month apart, are required to give adequate protection.
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-13 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 4 months. Unvaccinated adults who have not had measles themselves should seek advice from a healthcare professional regarding measles vaccination.
For further information see Measles.